The Montreal Canadiens have had goaltending problems to start the 2025-26 season, and it’s a huge reason why they’re tied for the fourth-most goals allowed in the league right now. With Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes both struggling, the hope is that the Canadiens have another option internally.
Montembeault was expected to take another jump in year two as the bona fide starter, but has instead struggled mightily, forcing backup Jakub Dobes into the net far more than he should be. While Dobes has had good moments, it’s come with ups and downs, so we know the 2020 fifth-round pick (136th overall) is best suited as a backup.
These woes have resulted in speculation about general manager Kent Hughes looking to acquire a goalie on the trade market. However, former NHL executive Pierre McGuire is pumping the brakes on that idea, particularly because of prospect Jacob Fowler, whom he compared to Martin Brodeur, one of the all-time greats at the position.
“Jacob Fowler is as good a prospect I’ve seen, and I’m not kidding you, since Marty Brodeur. I’ve been watching Jacob Fowler since he was 17. They’re so similar in terms of their approach to the game,”
The 21-year-old Fowler has been dominating the AHL for the Laval Rocket, posting a 9-4-0 record with a 2.15 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Jacob Fowler Canadiens
Should the Montreal Canadiens Hold Off On a Trade?
With Fowler potentially the next great Canadiens goalie, it doesn’t make sense for Hughes to spend big assets to acquire help in net, unless it’s a deal that costs little to bring in further competition for Montembeault and Dobes.
So take Jordan Binnington, Tristan Jarry, or Elvis Merzlikins out of the picture, and look towards a Laurent Brossoit, or take a flier on Joel Blomqvist out of Pittsburgh with their goaltending surplus.
Fowler should arrive in Montreal to start the 2026-27 season at the latest, and with how dominant he’s been at every level, there’s no reason to block his path to the crease on the NHL club.
If his career does come anywhere close to the success that Brodeur’s was, then the Canadiens and their fans have something special on their hands, and they won’t have to wait much longer to see it.
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